High beam switch keeps going bad

Jackjack97

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 7, 2020
Messages
247
Location
Sacramento CA
I have a 97 tj in which I have replaced the turn signal/ high beam switch twice over the last year or so. The same issue arises where the headlights stay in high and if I click them to the back they turn off completely. The switch seems to have gone bad again, is there something else I can check that will cause these issues?
 
Replace the switch ONE MORE TIME, but add a relay to the circuit so that the current draw created by the lights is not going through the actual switch contacts.
 
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Should I use a fuse or splice instead relay before the actual switch?

A fuse is not a substitute for a relay; it should be used in addition to a relay to get optimal circuit protection.
There are tons of wiring diagrams out there so no need for me to recreate one here, but in a nutshell:
-Run a new, thick power wire from the battery to the relay (10AWG, 8AWG, etc.)*
-Run a ground to the relay.
-Use the existing headlight power wire from your switch to trigger the relay.
-Add a new wire (14AWG, 16AWG are probably fine) from the relay to the headlights.
-Put a fuse in the new wire between the relay and the headlights.

*if you need power for other accessories, consider running a circuit breaker on this power wire, and connect it to a bus bar-type distribution block so that you can tap in later for additional relays.
 
Should I use a fuse or splice instead relay before the actual switch?

If you're going that route, get a upgraded wire harness. It uses the MFS to trigger a relay, so it only runs a very small amount of power through it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M6W1PMK/?tag=wranglerorg-20
71919aiRxLL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 
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